It's been a couple of years since our last amplifier column, and not that much had changed until this past December. That's when the Consumer Electronics Association announced that a number of major amp manufacturers, including Alpine, Audiovox, Directed Electronics, Harman, Kenwood, Mitek, Pioneer, Rockford, Scosche, and Sony, all gathered together and agreed to participate in the new Mobile Audio Amplifier power rating program.
This is pretty surprising news when you consider these companies are serious competitors. Imagine Ford, Dodge, Chevy, and Toyota getting together and pledging not to brag that their trucks aren't the toughest anymore. Actually, it's more like the automakers suddenly agreeing to put their horsepower numbers right on the bumper in 48-point type for everyone to see. Built Ford Tough, Like a Rock, no more marketing hype - let's see the numbers then!
Of course, there's a lot more to choosing a truck than just horsepower, and if you're loyal to GMC, you're not necessarily going to buy a different model based on that one rating. The same thing applies to amplifiers. If you are loyal to Fosgate, MTX, or Orion, you're not automatically going to switch to Sony just because it has a bigger amp. So, what exactly does this new power-rating program mean to you, as a truck owner and music lover? The bottom line is, it's going to make it a lot easier for you to compare amperes to oranges using these two primary standards:
1) Power Output in watts RMS times the number of channels, measured at 4 ohms, with less than 1 percent total harmonic distortion.
2) Signal-to-Noise Ratio measured in dBA with a reference of 1 watt into 4 ohms.
That's it. When you're out shopping for an amp, you'll see the CEA-2006 logo on the box next to these Power Output and S/N numbers, and you'll know exactly what those key numbers are and how they stack up against competing models. Keep in mind that this is not being done at the moment. It's like the Wild West out there when it comes to these numbers. There is no basis for comparing amps on a level playing field unless you happen to find those RMS figures hidden in a catalog.
Let's face it, stock stereos are usually inadequate. There are a lot of reasons to upgrade the sound system in your truck (some of them measured in dB and THD), and now that the new amp standard is here, there's never been a better time to grab that raging bull by the horns and go for the gusto.